My Sweet Bagel in Heaven now..

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

OH Sande, I am so sorry to read this. My first dog died of osteosarcoma in her front shoulder. The option was to do Chemo and then amputate. I was in no position financially to do chemo and felt very quilty about it. About a year later I spoke with a specialist that often does amputations after chemo. He said it can be a real nightmare because the tissues are so friable from the chemo it doesn't leave him much to work with. This helped me as I wouldn't have wanted to take the chance of making her remaining time with me miserable.

I did put Stevie on steroids and that bought us some extra time. Of course Stevie wasn't diabetic and steroids will probably complicate things diabetes wise, but folks here can help you with that.

We are here for you.

Tara

[jesse girl]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

its tuff to here the diagnosis and as you say bagel is feeling pretty good

as tara said steroids can give some bonus time as you know jesses cousin scooter was diagnosed last april given 2 months decide to give some prednisone started with a tablet reduced to a quarter and is still going strong today

she did put on weight they did not change her diet and still gets lots of treats and thats ok so more than likely his appetite will perk up and maybe get some good quality time scooters swelling reduced very quickly after taking the prednisone

my brother did not want to go the chemo route either which i think was a good decision

as far as meals you can give one meal a day jesse has been doing this for years and it can work and if you believe appetite maybe more difficult it is something you can explore determining a dose that is appropriate and if you need any help just ask

so what ever you decide enjoy your bagel such a sweetie we never know how much time we have with our babies and many take it for granted i have to say i did before diabetes and it changed the way i thought about things and as you know we get so close to them because the care we have to give them

[Linda1]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. Prayers that Bagel has many fun and pain free days ahead.

[momofdecker]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

I'm sorry to hear about Bagel's test results. And I'm right there with you regarding the quality of life issue.

We started Decker on prednisone Friday night. He's had a total of four doses so far. The steroid, for him, is to address inflammation in hopes of improving his mobility. His vet started him, at 87 pounds, on prednisone 20mg twice a day for two weeks. We will evaluate at the end of two weeks, looking to see if he shows improvement in his mobility and then looking to see if we can scale his dose back a bit and see how that impacts him.

He was on aspirin for awhile and then changed to metacam for inflammation relief. With each change we had to give a three to four day 'wash out' period between the aspirin to the metacam and then the metacam to the prednisone. This was to avoid GI complications. Decker had been off anti-inflammatories for one week when we started the prednisone. His insulin dose was going between 4u to 4.5u of levemir insulin. It's looking like he now may waiver between 4.5u to 5u of levemir - so not much of an immediate impact. I do suspect he was in desperate need of immediate inflammatory relief (thus the inflammation relief from the prednisone may have actually lowered his bg) and once that relief is maintained his bg may start to show a rise from it.

Wishing you lots of great quality and pain free time for whatever future may be in store for Bagel! Holli

[Soaphie & Sydney's Mom]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

I'm very very sorry to hear this. I am hoping you have an extended period where Bagel feels well and want to go on a TON of buggy rides...

Hugs to you...

Tami

[amholmesy]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

I am so sorry to hear about Bagel. I hope she can stay with you a bit longer and have a good quality of life. Xx

[Bagel's Mom]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Thanks for all your kind words..
The other Vet had started her on 1/2 prednisone 3 X a week after coming off the Lysodren for so long....
so I will ask about the dosage on that....
I cooked rice and boiled ham and cheese and this morning she ate that well..Tonight she had the same with a little boiled hamburger in it and she ate it all...I play with the insulin and so far she does well...

Church was very comforting and heart rendering- these people know me and my girl so well...I thought maybe I just need to make an appointment- before she gets in a bad way....

but when I came home she met me at the door- and we went out in the grass where she loves to sit..and I said nahhhhh not now.....There is too much life left in you... We will cherish these days and be thankful....
Sande

[k9diabetes]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Sande.... I'm so very sorry about Bagel's diagnosis. I too hope you and she can have some good quality time together. With these kinds of diseases, you will know when the quality is not there.

Sending both of you a huge hug. I know how deeply you love Bagel.

Natalie

[Franklin'sMum]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Oh Sande, I'm so sorry to hear of Bagel's diagnosis. Thinking of you both and sending (((((hugs))))) your way.

[farrwf]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

but when I came home she met me at the door- and we went out in the grass where she loves to sit..and I said nahhhhh not now.....There is too much life left in you... We will cherish these days and be thankful....
Sande

Sande,

About 25 years back, I had a Bassett Hound, Cleo, who had that same diagnosis. When she was diagnosed with the lymphosarcoma the vet estimated she had about 60 days left. He was a great vet ... about 80, semi retired and loved what he did. He'd seen everything more than once and really cared about his patients' welfare.

Cleo was doing so well that we almost forgot about her condition, then just about 60 days after diagnosis the lymph nodes in her neck swelled so much she was having trouble breathing. We went to the doc immediately and he determined "it was time". In addition to not being able to breathe, he found large masses had developed on her spleen and the kidney area.

It broke my heart to make that decision, but at that point there was no alternative. I will never forget that day.

The "good part" of the story, if there is one, is that Cleo had a great couple of months being almost symptom free. You are very wise to wring out every good day possible as long as she's not suffering. Time is such a very precious commodity.

We're with you in spirit and will be hoping and praying for a miracle.

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Sande,

I am so sorry to hear of Bagel's diagnosis. Time is so precious, we take it for granted for the most part. You will know when the time is ready. Offering strength, prayers, and hugs, and enjoy each and every day with that sweet Bagel of yours.

Barb

[peggy0]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Hi sande. So sorry to hear about bagel. My Forbin passed from this awful disease. I believe he had it much longer than we knew. It didn't become apparent until his neck lymph nodes swelled. He seemed pretty normal after diagnosis for awhile. If you have any questions I'd be glad to help. Love him every minute as you always do.

[Bagel's Mom]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Again, thank you ALL....yes, i don't even know how long this has been going one...We went last week because her eyes were dry and having issues...and they treated her for ears and eyes and bad teeth...beingg 1/4 bassett, she has always had a little belly, and her weight was the same...So i didn't think anything...
having good days...sleeping with me again off and on in the night..laying on the pillow is good for her i think....The glands have grown...she pants occasionally...I thought that was the Cushings..but life is good and we press on!
sande
Peggy I do want to ask a thousand questions...will message you...

[Patty]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

You are very wise to wring out every good day possible as long as she's not suffering. Time is such a very precious commodity.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. me too...she will have QUALITY of life...but I will not let her suffer...

Oh Sande,
I feel for you after Ali's last 4 months. I said the same thing. I would give her quality as long as she had the will for life. We had our ups and downs with meds but her will for life was so strong and she enjoyed her rabbit hunts, even when she slowed down.

I like how Bill words wringing out every good day possible. It's bringing me to tears writing this as there were certainly days I wondered how far we should go. But there were signs when it was time. I prayed fervently for this. And even her last day she stood up in the car, looking out the window watching 4 rabbits as we drove home.

Every situation is different, but I will pray for you and Bagel. Lean on the people here as much as you need to. This forum lifted me up (and they still do) when I needed the emotional support.

Hugs to you and your girl,
Patty

Oh, and the more questions you ask Peggy and others here in your thread if you are comfortable with that, the more people you may help in the future someday.

[Bagel's Mom]

Re: Sigh-Bagel having issues

Good points always..

I don't know enough to ask...

The weather is very warm here which is not usual- so she went out and sat in the grass for a few minutes when I got home..Very content.....Peaceful...She doesn't know what's going on...

.She is hungry, so I am fixing baked pork chops and rice and some ham when she wants more...

Seems the glands under her neck are growing faster...

a Good morning and good evening and a good night..
Thanks for all your words and prayers..
she is certainly a Special Dog bathed in MUCH prayer from all over!
sande

After I wrote this, the newest Vet called me...she does homeopathic medicine in this group...she said she thought giving Bagel an herb combination could possibly buy her a couple of quality months...
very affordable...goingto go there tomorrow...